With the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games looming, Qatar’s athletes have begun arriving at the world’s greatest sporting event and have called for their fans back home to show their support.
Team Qatar athletes that have already arrived include skeet shooters Nasser al-Attiyah and Rashed Hamad, swimmers Noah al-Khulaifi, Nada Arakji, the beach volleyball team, the handball team and judo athlete Morad Zemouri.
Commenting on his sixth Olympic appearance, Nasser al-Attiyah said: “I am extremely excited to be here in Rio at my second Olympic Games – the city is vibrant and the excitement is building so close to the Games. It is such an honour for me to represent Qatar for the sixth consecutive time in the Olympic Games. I will do my absolute best to make everyone proud. It would make so much difference for myself and for the whole of Team Qatar if people back home cheered us on.”
The Olympic Games will take place from 5th-21st August and Qatar will be sending the biggest athlete delegation in its history, with world champions and reigning Olympic medallists aiming to make the nation proud. Team Qatar has already made history with the judo, boxing, beach volleyball, handball and equestrian teams competing in the Olympic Games for the first time ever.
Commenting on the arrival of the first of Team Qatar’s athletes, Chef de Mission and Head of the QOC Public Relations department, Mohammed al-Fadala said:
“We are extremely excited to welcome Qatar’s athletes to Rio for the biggest competition of their lives. Our athletes have worked very hard for years to prepare for the Rio 2016 Olympics and their passion and excitement for the competition is unrivalled. We wish them and all athletes the very best of luck – may their passion and commitment to their sport bear fruit in Rio.”
Qatar will send its biggest delegation to the Olympic Games since its debut in Los Angeles 1984. Recent qualifiers in boxing, beach volleyball and weightlifting have taken the Team Qatar tally to 38 athletes across 10 sports – with other sports including athletics, swimming, shooting, handball, equestrian, table tennis, judo and weightlifting.
To support its athletes on their journey in Rio, the QOC is running the #YallaQatar campaign across its social media channels with the aim of showcasing Qatar’s athletes and their incredible feats. The Olympic Dreams film series have profiled each team and athlete, and explored the highs, lows, motivations and dreams of Qatar’s Olympians.
The QOC has today released the final film in the series showing why the support of the Qatari public is so important to Team Qatar as they bid to make the whole nation proud. Show your support for Team Qatar by watching and sharing the film: http://bit.ly/2awYbHj
Noah al-Khulaifi, one of the youngest members of Team Qatar at just 17, commented on his experience in Rio so far: “It is an incredible experience being here in Rio for my first ever Olympic Games. The atmosphere and energy are amazing and you can feel the Olympic spirit wherever you go. I’m only 17 so I am hoping to build on this incredible experience for the future. We need Qatar’s support more than ever now so close to the start of the Games.”
The QOC has also teamed up with its National Partners, Ooredoo, Qatar Airways and QIC Group to offer an amazing trip for one lucky winner to cheer on Team Qatar as they compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. To enter the Dream Package competition, participants must simply “Like” and comment with #YallaQatar on the video that has been posted on the QOC Facebook Page and shared by its partners. The QOC will then randomly select one lucky winner and a guest on 9th August 2016.
The prize includes one pair of return Qatar Airways Business Class tickets to Rio de Janeiro, five nights’ accommodation in a luxurious 5 star hotel in Rio, two Samsung smartphones with Ooredoo Passport, Worldwide QIC Group travel insurance for both travellers, as well as tickets to cheer on Team Qatar at select events and unlimited access to Bayt Qatar.
Bayt Qatar is the QOC’s hospitality house in Rio de Janeiro and will be open from 4th-21st August. The QOC has recently launched the official website www.baytqatar.qa for the public to find out more and keep up to date with news, events and activities.
You can follow Team Qatar’s journeys to Rio on the QOC’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels under the hashtag #YallaQatar.